Spread across 55 acres, this retreat offers home-style rooms with views of gardens, hills and valleys. The best way to enjoy the estate is by lounging on a hammock, surrounded by pepper and cardamom trees. (Website; from Rs10,450)

Parisons Plantation Experiences, Thalassery

Photo: Parisons Plantation Experiences, Thalassery

Formerly owned by the British and Continental Tea Plantation Trust, this farm stay still comprises colonial-style bungalows with views of its 4,025-acre tea plantation. You can go trekking, mountain biking or for a tour of the plantation which ends with tea tasting. (Website; from Rs9,000)

The Elephant Court, ThekkadyThis hotel is known for its traditional architecture and for its location, just a stone’s throw from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The hotel can organise elephant rides, treks, jungle scouts (guided, after- dark walking tours in the Periyar forest), nature walks, safaris, tours of nearby spice plantations and a bullock-cart ride past vineyards and farms. (Website; from Rs6,600)

Wayanad Wild, WayanadA boutique, ecotel, this one is located amid the lush rainforest of Lakkidi, close to a gurgling stream. During your stay, sign up for a guided tour of the property or a birdwatching excursion with the in-house naturalist. If you want to go on your own, choose to trek through the forest or meander along the streams. (Website; from Rs10,000)

The Panoramic Getaway, MunnarLand on the hotel’s helipad and then focus on relaxing. Start with a dip in the heated in nity pool, go for a long walk to nearby spice, tea and co ee plantations, and get pampered at the in-house Tattvam Ayurveda Spa. Feel like stepping out? Hire a speedboat at Chenukulam Dam, go on a jeep safari, visit the sandalwood forest in Marayoor, or the tea museum and blossom park close by. (Website; from Rs10,688)

Fragrant Nature, Munnar

Photo: Fragrant Nature, Munnar

Planter-style architecture typical to the region, hillside views, cosy replaces and a focus on wellness—this hotel has all the makings of a retreat in the hills. You can do yoga, explore the tea garden and factory, visit local farmers, go for a wildlife safari, or stay in and enjoy daily cultural performances. (Website; from Rs8,000)

Chandys Windy Woods, MunnarSet on a slope, overlooking the Western Ghats, this hotel surrounds you in nature. Laid out around a faux tree and a man-made waterfall, it gives you the illusion of living in a forest. During your stay, sign up for The Enchanted Forest Tour, go birdwatching or on a jeep safari to explore the vicinity. Those with an adventurous streak can take up trekking and mountain biking around town. (Website; from Rs10,000)

Photo: Blackberry Hills Retreat and Spa, Munnar

This boutique retreat has just 16 cottages across 15 acres and unobstructed views of the Sahya mountain range, Munnar’s plantations, waterfalls and forests. You can go for a tour of the tea estate, relax at the in- house Sisal Spa, or get initiated in organic farming techniques. The staff can organise guided mountain biking, trekking and birdwatching excursions during the day as well as a sumptuous barbecue and campfire at dusk. (Website; from Rs8,500)

Vythiri Village, Wayanad

Photo: Vythiri Village, Wayanad

Check in to this property’s 360° View Cottage— aside from enviable vistas, it also comes with a private pool and Jacuzzi. You can spend the day cycling, zip lining, walking along streams, exploring the resort’s artificial waterfalls, practising archery, or enjoy an ayurvedic treatment at the in-house Nawa Spa. Savour Malabar cuisine at the Spice Bowl restaurant, and end your day with a hot cup of tea at House Boat, inspired by those found in Kerala’s backwaters. (Website; from Rs10,818)

Tranquil Resort, Wayanad

Photo: Tranquil Resort | Unwind at Wayanad’s Tranquil Resort

Experience the processes followed at coffee and spice plantations at this 400-acre property, which has been in business since the late 1800s. A stay here is more on the lines of a homestay—with cottages and tree houses—but with the luxuries of a resort. If you want to do more, take a swim or spa treatment, go birdwatching to spot some of the 127 species of birds that abound the surroundings. (Website; from Rs7,200)

The Windflower Resort & Spa, Vythiri, Wayanad

Photo: The Windflower Resort & Spa, Vythiri, Wayanad

An ideal getaway for two at this resort would be complete with a four-course candlelit dinner, long walks through tea and spice plantations in the vicinity and relaxing with a treatment at the in-house Emerge – The Wellness Spa. (Website; from 12,600)

Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Thekkady

Photo: Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Thekkady, Kerala.

This 13-cottage property is an ayurvedic retreat within a cardamom plantation, which borders the Periyar Tiger Reserve and is surrounded by mountains with a view of the valley below. While activities including bamboo rafting, jeep safaris, trekking and more, can be organised, don’t skip a swim in the infinity pool, under a canopy of trees, and sip your favourite cocktail as you watch the clouds float by. (Website; from Rs10,000)

Broad Bean Resort and Spa, Munnar

Aside from views of the mist-laden hills, this resort is planned around a large natural pond, where you can go boating. Sign up for a plantation tour, explore nearby streams and waterfalls, or try trucking, shing, yoga and meditation, or cooking classes. The resort also organises daily campfires as well as barbecues on the Moon Terrace. (Website; from Rs12,000)

Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad

Photo: Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad

Spread over 35 acres of lush green foliage, this eco and nature resort was built using the earth that was cleared for its construction. At 1,065m above sea level, it’s best explored by trekking the hills or opting for a historical tour. The resort can also organise a walk to nearby tribal villages for a glimpse of rural life. (Website; from Rs8,000)

Kofiland, Thekkady

Photo: Press | Kofiland, Thekkady, Kerala

Situated between the slopes of two hillocks, this eco-friendly resort has a rivulet that ows under its open-air reception and re-emerges to join a lake. Whether you are fishing by the lakeside or on a boat with a book from the in-house library, take in the view of the property’s planter-style cottages surrounded by silver oak trees. While here, you can also visit nearby spice plantations or go for an elephant safari. (Website; from Rs21,000)

SpiceTree Resort, Munnar

Photo: The SpiceTree Resort Munnar

Nestled among the mountain ranges of Kanan Devan and Bison Valley, this boutique resort is surrounded by small pepper and cardamom production units run by local farmers. The property conducts a number of activities—cooking classes, tea tasting, herb garden visits, soft treks, yoga and meditation sessions, and spa treatments. You can also borrow a book from the in-house library. (Website; from Rs14,800)

Swiss County, Munnar

With acres of plantations stretched out before you, this hotel is the ideal place to appreciate nature comfortably. After a walk or trek in the area, enjoy a local meal at the hotel’s restaurant. (Website; from Rs6,000)

Pepper Trail, Wayanad

Photo: Pepper Trail, Wayanad

Set amid lakes and forest in the Mangalam Carp Estate, this 200-acre estate was founded in the 1800s and its 140-year-old bungalow is full of colonial charm. Whether you stay in one of the suites or tree houses, explore the estate on-foot—going as far as your legs take you—and you may chance upon some truly exotic flora. (Website; from Rs11,900)

Aanavilasam Luxury Plantation, Thekkady

This seven-acre private estate is just a 15-minute drive from Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is owned by photographer Salim Pushpanath, whose team can organise night jungle patrols and bamboo rafting excursions to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. The plantation’s living room has a fireplace and bookshelf, making it the ideal place to hangout after a day of trekking, safari or spice tours. (Website; from Rs6,500)

Hotel Treetop, Thekkady

Stay in this hotel’s cosy, comfortable and spacious cottages that are built so that all you see when you step out, is lush greenery. You can go for an ayurvedic treatment or lounge on a hammock with a book from the library, let the birdsong and gentle hum of insects lull you to sleep. End your day with a barbecue and bonfire or walk down to the spice and handicraft stores nearby. (Website; from Rs4,200)

Plum Judy – The Leisure Hotel, Munnar

Named after a species of butterfly, this hilltop hotel offers striking views from the balconies of each of its 60 rooms. In keeping with its tag of ‘leisure’, it offers very few activities, encouraging guests to disconnect and relax and rejuvenate. (Website; from Rs15,360)

Greenwoods Resort, Thekkady

Photo: Greenwoods Resort, Thekkady

For a real sense of living in a forest, instead of a cottage, choose to stay at one of the tree houses, that need you to trek about 4km from the main entrance. They are accessible only via a drawbridge (which can be withdrawn at night). Come down to the property’s coffee shop, which is propped up on stilts and built with wood and thatch among tree tops. (Website; from Rs10,000)

Sharoy Resort Wayanad

With the Banasura Sagar dam as the backdrop, this resort offers mesmerising views of blue waters and lush mountains. Connect with nature— go walking, boating, trekking, birdwatching and for wildlife safari excursions. After completing your choice of activity, relax in the infinity pool and stare out into the postcard-perfect view. (Website; from Rs9,900)